Concentration in Byzantine Iconology

The St. Stephen’s Certificate with a concentration in Byzantine Iconology provides a graduate-level theological education across a range of topics – Scripture, Doctrine, Fundamentals of Orthodoxy, Liturgical Theology, Pastoral Theology, Church History, Patristics, and Canon Law – as well as coursework on Byzantine Iconology. An overview of the courses for the Byzantine Iconology Concentration is provided below. See also the more general description of the St. Stephen’s Certificate program.

Directed-Reading Courses
The directed-reading courses in the Byzantine Iconology Concentration are identical to those in the standard Applied Orthodox Theology concentration, with the exception of three courses which specifically focus on Byzantine Iconology. Courses are as follows:Unit I:
• Fundamentals I: An Introduction to Orthodoxy
• Church History I: The Christian Church from Its Foundation through the Seventh Century
• Liturgical Theology I: Introduction to Liturgical Theology, Baptism and EucharistUnit II:
• Church History II: The Orthodox Church from the Seventh Century to 1453
• Byzantine Iconology I*Unit III:
• Holy Scripture II
• Patristics: The Fathers of the Church During the First Five Hundred Years
• Byzantine Iconology II*Unit IV:
• Doctrine I: The Doctrine of Knowledge In the Tradition of the Church
• Pastoral Theology IUnit V:
• Doctrine II: The Orthodox Doctrine of the Holy Trinity
• Canon Law: The Canon Law of the Orthodox Church
• Byzantine Iconology III*Unit VI:
• Option to pursue Master’s Thesis

*courses specific to the Byzantine Iconology Concentration

Directed-Praxis Courses
The directed-praxis courses of the Byzantine Iconology Concentration are offered in the spring semester of each year (Units II, IV, and VI) and will generally address a particular need in the area of Byzantine Iconology. They will include a proposal submitted for approval to the Iconology Program Director and the Praxis Mentor; the directed Praxis itself; and a Praxis paper with supporting detail.

ResidencyAn intensive week-long Residency takes place in late August or early September of the first three academic years, and is held at the Antiochian Village Conference & Retreat Center in western Pennsylvania.

Program Completion
Students who successfully complete the coursework of the Byzantine Iconology Concentration, and who hold a Bachelor’s degree, may choose to pursue a Master’s thesis during the final semester of their third year, leading to the degree of M.Th. in Applied Orthodox Theology. Students who do not wish to pursue the Master’s degree will receive the St. Stephen’s Certificate in Orthodox Theology.

For a more detailed description of the Byzantine Iconology Concentration, including course descriptions, please see pp. 16-23 of the AHOS Catalog.